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How do you go about writing a detective story

Dial M for Murder

I'd make some stupid mistake and never realize it until I found everybody was looking at...

Dial M for Murder • 1954

Tony Wendice:

How do you go about writing a detective story? Mark Halliday:
Well, you forget detection and concentrate on crime. Crime's the thing. And then you imagine you're going to steal something or murder somebody. Tony Wendice:
Oh, is that how you do it? It's interesting. Mark Halliday:
Yes, I usually put myself in the criminal's shoes and then I keep asking myself, uh, what do I do next? Margot Mary Wendice:
Do you really believe in the perfect murder? Mark Halliday:
Mmm, yes, absolutely. On paper, that is. And I think I could, uh, plan one better than most people; but I doubt if I could carry it out. Tony Wendice:
Oh? Why not? Mark Halliday:
Well, because in stories things usually turn out the way the author wants them to; and in real life they don't... always. Tony Wendice:
Hmm. Mark Halliday:
No, I'm afraid my murders would be something like my bridge: I'd make some stupid mistake and never realize it until I found everybody was looking at me

Full Transcript

00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:05.195

How do you go about writing a detective story?.

00:00:05.369 --> 00:00:08.463

You forget detection and concentrate on crime. Crime's the thing.

00:00:08.639 --> 00:00:11.437

You imagine you're gonna steal something or murder somebody.

00:00:11.608 --> 00:00:13.439

Is that how you do it?. Interesting.

00:00:13.061 --> 00:00:16.807

I usually put myself in the criminal's shoes and I keep asking myself:

00:00:16.981 --> 00:00:18.642

"What do I do next?."

00:00:18.816 --> 00:00:21.785

Do you really believe in the perfect murder?.

00:00:21.952 --> 00:00:24.216

Yes, absolutely. On paper, that is.

00:00:24.388 --> 00:00:26.072

I think I could plan one better than most people...

00:00:26.089 --> 00:00:28.551

...but I doubt I could carry it out.

00:00:28.726 --> 00:00:30.887

Oh?. Why not?.

00:00:31.061 --> 00:00:33.655

In stories, things turn out the way the author wants.

00:00:33.831 --> 00:00:35.856

And in real life, they don't always.

00:00:36.433 --> 00:00:38.697

No. I'm afraid my murders would be like my bridge:

00:00:38.869 --> 00:00:40.769

I'd make a mistake and never realize it...

00:00:40.938 --> 00:00:43.532

-...till I find everybody looking at me. -Drink up, Mark.

00:00:43.707 --> 00:00:46.026

-Yes. -What are you doing tomorrow?.

00:00:46.176 --> 00:00:47.609

-Nothing. -Why don't we drive...

00:00:47.778 --> 00:00:49.871

-...to Windsor for lunch. -That's a good idea.

00:00:50.997 --> 00:00:51.639

Come along early, but not too early.

00:00:51.815 --> 00:00:54.998

-We may be nursing a hangover. -How about 11?.

00:00:54.184 --> 00:00:56.812

-Fine. -We can have lunch at the Kings Head.

00:00:56.987 --> 00:00:59.888

-Is that right in Windsor?. -No, it's just outside.

00:01:01.625 --> 00:01:04.999

Did I lend you my latchkey?. I can't seem to find it anywhere.

00:01:04.762 --> 00:01:07.002

I don't know. I may have them both in my handbag.

00:01:07.999 --> 00:01:08.999

I'll just look.

00:01:28.819 --> 00:01:32.619

-No. I've only got one here. -Are you sure yours isn't in your overcoat?.

00:01:32.001 --> 00:01:35.994

No, I've looked. May I borrow yours?.

00:01:35.259 --> 00:01:37.489

-Well, that's a bit awkward. -Why?.

00:01:37.661 --> 00:01:39.288

I may want to go out.

00:01:39.999 --> 00:01:40.001

Tonight?.

00:01:40.931 --> 00:01:43.001

Yes, I thought I might go to a movie.

00:01:43.002 --> 00:01:45.395

What about the radio?. Saturday Night Theatre?.

00:01:45.569 --> 00:01:48.902

Oh, no. It's a thriller. I don't like thrillers when I'm alone.

00:01:49.993 --> 00:01:51.473

-I see. -In any case, I'll be back...

00:01:51.642 --> 00:01:53.405

...before you, so I can let you in.

00:01:53.777 --> 00:01:57.956

But we won't be back until after midnight. You may be asleep by then.

00:01:57.181 --> 00:01:59.581

You can always put your key under the proverbial mat.

00:01:59.075 --> 00:02:02.913

It's all right. Here it is. It was in my glove all the time.

00:02:03.003 --> 00:02:05.001

Well, that settles that.

00:02:06.003 --> 00:02:07.387

What movie are you going to?.

00:02:07.001 --> 00:02:09.002

The classic, I expect.

00:02:09.226 --> 00:02:12.001

-Will you get in?. Saturday night?. -I can always try.

00:02:12.196 --> 00:02:14.596

-But, darling-- -Now, don't make me stay home.

00:02:14.999 --> 00:02:16.001

You know I hate doing nothing.

00:02:16.001 --> 00:02:18.063

Doing nothing?. There are hundreds of things to do.

00:02:18.869 --> 00:02:20.001

Write Peggy, thanking her for the weekend.

00:02:21.999 --> 00:02:24.907

And what about those clippings?. It's an ideal opportunity.

00:02:24.274 --> 00:02:26.999

Well, I like that. You two go gallivanting...

00:02:26.081 --> 00:02:29.904

...while I stay home and do those boring clippings.

Duration

151 seconds

Views

2,537

Timestamp in Movie

00:32:55

Uploaded

Aug 26, 2021

Genres

crime, thriller

Production

Warner Bros. Pictures

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Movie Summary

A former tennis player tries to arrange his wife's murder after learning of her affair.

Actors

Tony Wendice

Mark Halliday

Robert Cummings

Margot Wendice

Chief Inspector Hubbard